Coin-controlled atomizer



PATENTED JAN. 19', 1904.

W. G. MEYER.

COIN CONTROLLED ATOMIZER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3, 1903.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

Jrwani'ot mil-r @4437 PATENTED JAN; 19, 1904.

W. G. MEYER. COIN CONTROLLED ATOMIZEB.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 3, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEIET 2.

N0 MODEL.

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PatentedJ'anuary 19, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. MEYER, OF LOUIS, MISSOURI.

COIN-CONTROLLED ATOMIZER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 749,874, dated January 19, 1904.

Application filed October 3, 1903. Serial No. 175,685. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM (J. MEYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin- Controlled Atomizers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention has relation to improvements in coin-controlled atomizers; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of parts more fully set forth in the specification and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cabinet in which the operating parts of my apparatus are confined. Fig. 2 is a middle vertical longitudinal section of the same, showing the device in side elevation and in normal position. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. l is a similar view showing the parts extended and the pump-piston forced to one of its extreme positions. Fig. 5 is a cross-section on line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a cross-section on line 6 6 of Fig. 8. Fig.7 is a vertical sectional detail on line 7 7 of Fig. 11. Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on line 8 8 of Fig. 5, showing the traveling head disengaged from the operatingscrew. Fig. 9 is a similar view of one end of Fig. 8, showing the gripping-jaws of the head in position for engagement with the screw. Fig. 10 is a cross-section on line 10 10 of Fig. 7, and Fig. 11 is a rear face View of Fig. 7.

The object of my invention is to provide an atomizer with an air-pump the movement of whose piston in one direction shall be dependent on the temporary connection efi'ected therefor with the actuating mechanism through the medium of a coin of proper denomination introduced into the machine, the said piston being returned or moved in the opposite direction by the tension of suitable springs, the return movement of the piston serving to force the air from the pump-cylinder into the bottle in which the liquid, extract, perfume, or cologne may be stored. To this end I have devised an apparatus which in detail may be described as follows:

Referring to the drawings, C represents a cabinet or casing in which the device is confined, said casing having inscribed thereon directions for the operatlon of the device.

'VVithin the cabinet is a platform P for the support of a series of air-pumps A, (there being two in the present instance, though I do not limit myself to the number,) to the discharge-nozzle 1 of each of which is coupled one end of the air-tube 2, the opposite end communicating with the interior of. a bottle B, containingthe liquid perfume, the spraypipe 3 from said bottle communicating with the nozzles .4, carried by the front wall of the cabinet, through which the liquid is forced in the form of a spray, Fig. 1, onto a kerchief held in the path of the spray. The bottle is held secure, on the platform by a strap formed by the posts 5 5 and a cross-bar 6, Fig. 2, or in any suitable mechanical manner.

Nothing new is herein claimed for the construction of the force-pump A, the present one being on the order of a bicycle air-pump and in the present instance comprising in addition to the cylinder a piston a, a piston-rod b, an outer rear terminal cross-bar c, lateral guide-rods d d, and front terminal cross-bar c, the latter being coupled directly to the adjacent end of the coin-receiving plunger-rod 7. The forward end of the plungerrod 7 plays loosely in an opening 8, Fig. 8, formed in the terminal wall of a reciprocating longitudinally-chambered head 9, the amount of this play being determined by the nature of the connection between the head and plunger-rod. This connection is as follows: The front end of the plunger-rod is provided with a horizontal slot 10, which is intersected at right angles by a vertical coin-receiving slot 11. Passing through the horizontal slot are the togglelinks 12 12,thehinge-axis of the toggle being in the plane of the coin-slot 11. The outer end of eachtoggle is pivotally coupled to the end of the short arm of the horizontally-oscillating gripping-lever 13, pivoted within the lateral grooves 14 of the head, the ends of the long arms of said levers carrying screwthreaded jaws 15, which pass loosely through the wall of the head, communicating with the interior chamber or bore 16 thereof, there to engage the threads of the rotatable actuatingoted.

links can yield or fold in such outward direction to that extent the amount of play of the head on the plunger is determined. Of course the extent to which the toggles may fold or close, Fig. 8, is determined by the contact of the short arms of the levers 13 with the bases" of the grooves 14, within which they are piv- The partial closing or folding of the links 12 has the efiect of swinging the free ends of the long arms of the levers 13 outwardly, thus causing a disengagement of the jaws 15 from the screw 17, Fig. 8. The expansion of the toggles-that is to say, the straightening out or unfolding of the same, said expansion being directly permissible by the play of the head on the plunger-rod 7 has the effect of swinging or forcing the free ends of the.levers 13 inwardly, thereby efitecting engagement between the jaws 15 and the screw. (See Fig. 9, which shows the links eX- panded and the levers 13 forced into the po+ sition indicated, this figure showing but one end of the head and levers to avoid duplication of the opposite end and the screw being omitted to indicate that the head has been advanced along the screw the full depth of the chamber 16.) This explanation as to the action of the toggle-links is made at this time, since it is on the coin that this action of the links depends. As long as no coin isintroduced into the machine the parts will remain in the position indicated in Fig. 8 and the operator can turn the crank H of the machine indefinitely without producing any result; but the moment a coin is introduced the latter effects connection between the screw 17 and the jaws 15, when a turning of the screw will advance the head 9 and plunger-rod 7 in one direction, thereby operating the pump-piston a in one direction, Fig. 4. How this is accomplished will now be described. Upon introduction of the coin into the coin-chute 19, whose lower end is directly over the slot 11 of the plunger-rod 7, the coin drops into said slot 11, being temporarily supported on a bottom plate 20, through a slot 21 of which it eventually drops, (as presently to be seen',) the slot 21, while disposed in the same vertical plane with slot 11, being located partially out of alinement and to the rear of slot 11 when the plunger 7 occupies. its normal position, Figs. 2, 3, 8. Loosely playing over the plunger-rod 7 is a sliding arm or abutment 22, whose one end is rigidly secured to a spring-controlled longitudinally-movable rod 23, passing the length of the head 9, the rear extension thereof being encircled by an expanding-spring 24, interposed between the head 9 and the abutment 22 and the forward end (which just barely projects out of the head) being pivotally coupled to the end of the horizontal member of a bent lever 25, pivoted at the bottom of the front end of the head 9, the vertical member of said bent lever projecting upward in front of the forward end of the head 9 and to one side of the hollow stem 9, (forming a part of said head,) through the base of which the jaws 15 directly operate, Figs. 6, 8. Before proceeding further with this description it must be apparent that if the coin lodges in the slot 11 between the hinge-joint of the toggles 12 and the adjacent face of the movable abutment 22 if we force the abutment against the coin, so as to cause the latter to force the joint of the toggle-links outwardly, (to the left in Figs. 3, 8,) the toggles will straighten out, Fig. 9, and cause the jaws 15 to engage the screw. It is also obvious that the forcing of the abutment or arm 22 momentarily against the coin to effect the result alluded to-may be accomplished by drawing on the rod 23. The drawing on the rod 23 in the proper direction may obviously be accomplished by tilting the vertical member of the leyer .25 rearwardly, (to the right in 'Fig. 8, or from the observer looking at Fig. 6,) for this tilting will cause the end of the horizontal member of lever 25 to pull on the rod 23 and force the abutment 22 against the coin, with the results as already indicated. In the operation of the machine the tilting of the lever 25 is accomplished upon turning the crank-arm H through the following intermediate mechanism: The outer smooth or unthreaded portion of the screw 17 is mounted in a tubular bearing 26, the end of the screw projecting a suitable distance beyond this bearing, Fig. 8. Over this projecting portion the socket of the handle H is passed, said socket being enlarged at its outer end into an annular chamber 27 for the accommodation of the radially-disposed tripping-pin 28, secured to the screw. The bandle is secured to the screw by a peg or pin 29. Reciprocating loosely and longitudinally within the bearing 26 is a push-block 30, provided with an inner head 30, the latter carrying a stem 31, which is in permanent engagement with the free end of a spring-arm 32, Figs. 7, 8, secured to the casing, said spring forcing the block 30 outwardly. Now the outer end of the block 30,which, by the way, is received by the chamber 27 of the handle-socket, is beveled, Figs. 7, 10, and upon turning the handle in proper direction (see arrows, Fig. 1) rotation is imparted to the screw, and in such rotation the pin 28, forcing itself up the incline of said beveled end of the push-block, pushes the push-block inwardly, the head 30 of the latter by such inward movement tripping the lever 25 inwardly, with the results as outlined abovethat is to say, assuming that the coin is inposition between the joint of the v toggle-links 12 and the abutment 22, the turning of the crank H actuates the push-block, this in turn tilting the lever 25, the latter drawing the abutment 22 forward, forcing the coin against the joint of the links 12, the latter in turn forcing the screw-jaws into en gagemcnt with the threads of the propellingscrew 17. The moment the pin 28 has passed by the block 30 the latter is returned to its normal position by the spring 32. At the same time the spring 24 returns the abutment back to its original position, (a slight movement rearward,) causing it to release the coin, which, as will be remembered, is prevented from dropping out of the slot 11 within the plunger-rod 7 by the plate 20. Withthe return of the abutment 22 to its original position the lever 25 of course is likewise forced to its original position, Fig. 8. Once the jaws 15 are in engagement with the screw 17 a fur.-

ther turning of the screw (by the crank-arm) Causes said jaws (which now act as a nut) to travel along said screw rearwardly, carrying the head 9 and plunger-rod 7 with them, and thus operating the piston of the air-pump in one direction, the extreme limit of this direction being indicated in Fig. 4. The sides of the head 9 are provided with arms 33, to which the adjacent ends of the contracting-springs 34 are secured,'the opposite ends being secured to the casing-wall. It is apparent of course that these springs exert a constant pull or tension on the rearwardly-advancing head 9, and if at the i proper moment the jaws 15 be disengaged from the screw-threads it is obvious that under the tension of the springs referred to the head, with its plunger-rod 7, will be drawn backin the op.-

posite direction, (forward,) thus performing the return stroke of the pump A. 1 in order to explain how this release of the threads.

It is now jaws 15 is effected. As the jaws 15 travel rearwardly along the threaded portion of the screw they eventually must pass ofi the Now when they have passed off the threads, so that further rotation of the screw ceases to advance the head, at that moment the pull exerted by the now tightly-expanded springs 34 jerks the head 9 forward a distance defined by the amount of play between said headand the plunger-rod 7, (a play already referred to,) this jerk or sudden pull again IQ breaking the straight position of the links 12, as shown in Fig. 9, bending said links into the position shown in Fig. 8, whereby -.under the tension of the expanded springs 34 the head, with its plunger-rod, is gradually drawn back to its normal position, forcing the piston a back to its first position, and thus completing the return stroke of the pump.

ation.

The piston a in suchreturn movement drives the air beforc'it through the bottle, producing a continuous spray, as seen in Fig. 1. Thus the parts are once more returned to their normal position ready for another oper- As the plunger-rod is carried rearwardly the coin, which for a portion of its travel with said rod is supported on the plate 20, eventually drops through the slot 21 of said plate to the bottom of the cabinet, whence it may be removed through a rear door D, with which the cabinet is provided. Of course the coin does not drop until the slots 11 and 21 become superposed, which happens after the plunger-rod 7 has advanced a portion of its rearward stroke. Of course when no coin is introduced into the machine the only effect of turning the handle would be to trip the push-block 30, which in turn would reciprocate the abutment 22, these parts returning to their normal positions with each rotation of the handle; but the nut-jaws 15 would remain permanently out of engagement with the screw and no advance of the head or plunger-rod would take place, and hence there would be no operation of the pump. It may be added that as the head 9 travels along the screw rearwardly by the turning of the crank H the parts are substantially as shown in Fig. 9, the friction between the screw-threads of the screw and the nut-jaws 15 preventing the disengagement of the latter by reason of any tension exerted on the part of the springs 34; but the moment the jaws have worked off or slipped ofl' the threads, there being nothing to resist the free outward swinging of the levers 13, of which the jaws form a part, the levers are at that instant forced outward by the bending of the toggle-links, (to the extent indicated,) leaving the head to ride or slip freely over the screw and be drawn to its original position by the tension of the springs 34.

It is apparent, of course, that I may depart from the'details here shown without aifecting the nature or spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim is i 1. :In a coin-controlled atomizer, a suitable force-pump, suitable actuating or driving screw mechanism, and intermediate devices interposed between said mechanism and pump for intercepting a coin introduced into the machine and effecting connection between the pump and said actuating mechanism, substantially as set forth.

2. In a coin-controlled atomizer, a suitable force-pump, an actuating or driving screw mechanism and devices interposed between said screw and the piston of said pump for intercepting a coin introduced into the machine and effecting a positive but movable connection between said screw and piston, substantially as set forth.

3. In a coin-controlled atomizer, a suitable force-pump, a piston and piston-rod there for, a rotatable screw adapted to be operated from the inside of the machine, a suitable head mounted on the screw and connected to the piston of the pump, and means interposed between the screw and piston for intercepting a coin introduced into the machine, and,'upon IIO rotation of the screw, effecting positive engagement between the screw and head, whereby the latter upon rotation of the screw, is advanced in one direction, and the pump operated in one direction, substantially as set forth.

4. In a coin-controlled atomizer, a forcepump, a piston and piston-rod therefor, an actuating-screw, a head movable along said screw, suitable connections for coupling said head to the piston of the pump, suitable devices carried by the head for engaging the threads of the screw, and. mechanism under the control of the operator for forcing said devices into such engagement with the rotation of the screw upon the introduction of a coin into the machine, substantially as set forth.

5. In a coin-controlled atomizer, an actuating-screw, a movable head loosely passed over the same, gripping-leaves pivoted to the head and having screw-threaded jaws fitting the threads of the screw, a pair of toggle-links pivoted to the ends of the adjacent arms of said leaves, a plunger-rod coupled to the head in the path of the hinge-axis of said links and having a slight play relatively to said head, the plunger-rod having a coin-slot disposed therein in a plane at right angles to the plane of oscillation of the links, and suitable devices controlled by the screw for forcing the coin lodged in said slot, against the hinge of the links, whereby the gripping-levers are rocked in a direction to effect operative engagement between the screw-threads and the jaws aforesaid, and whereby upon rotation of the screw the jaws and head are advanced along the same in one direction, substantially as set forth.

6. In a coin-controlled atomizer, an actuating-screw, a movable head loosely passed over the same, gripping-leaves pivoted to the head and having screw-threaded jaws fitting the threads of the screw, springs connecting the head to the stationary part of the machine, a pair of toggle-links pivoted to the ends of the adjacent arms of the levers, a plunger-rod coupled to the head through the medium of the links and disposed in the path of the hingeaxis of said links, and having a slight play relatively to said head, the plunger-rod having a coin-slot for receiving a coin in a position at right angles to the plane of oscillation of the links, and suitable devices for forcing the coin lodged in said slot, against the hinge of the links thereby unfolding the links and forcing the jaws into engagement with the threads of the screw, the jaws being released from their engaging position by the tension of the springs the instant their threaded faces have passed off the threads of the screw, the parts operating substantially as, and for the purpose set forth.

7 In a coin-controlled atomizer, an actuating-screw, a head loosely passed over the same,

a plunger-rod coupled to the head and having a slot for the reception of the coin, a sliding abutment or wall operating on the plungerrod, a spring-controlled rod coupled at one end to said abutment, a bent lever pivoted to the head and having one arm pivotally connected to the opposite or front end of the rod, a crank-handle for said screw, and devices interposed between said handle and lever for tripping the lever in one direction and drawing on the rod and abutment and thereby forcing the latter against the coin interposed between the abutment and head, substantially as set forth.

8. In a coin-controlled atomizer, a rotatable screw having a smooth outer portion, means for turning the screw from the outside of the machine, a suitable bearing for the smooth portion of, said screw, a push-block moving longitudinally in said bearing, and having an outer beveled end, a radially-disposed pin on the screw adapted to force itself against the incline of said beveled end of the push-block, and force the block inwardly, a spring for forcing the block in the opposite direction, a traveling head on the screw, and suitable mechanism actuated by the inward movement of the push-block for forcing the coin introduced into the machine, toward. or against the head, substantially as set forth.

9. In a coin-controlled atomizer, an actuating-screw, a head adapted to travel along the same, a plunger-rod coupled to the head, a pump in connection with the plunger-rod, jaws mounted on the head, a coin-chute, a slot formed in the plunger-rod for receiving the coin from the chute, suitable mechanism adapted to be brought into mechanical con nection with the coin while occupying its position in the slot, for forcing the jaws into engagement with the screw upon an initial rotation of the screw, and advancing the head along the screw and releasing the coin upon subsequent and further rotation of the screw, substantially as set forth.

10. In a coin-controlled atomizer, an actuating-screw, a traveling head mounted on the same, a plunger-rod coupled to the head and to a suitable pump, screw-threaded jaws pivotally carried by the head and adapted to be positively forced into engagement with the screw upon introduction of a coin into the machine, and a subsequent initial rotation of the screw, the head being advanced along the screw upon further rotation, whereby the pump is operated in one direction, substantially as set forth.

11. In a coin-controlled atomizer, an actuating-screw, a traveling head mounted on the same, a plunger-rod coupled to the head and to a suitable pump, screw-threaded jaws movably mounted on the head and adapted to be pivotally forced into engagement with the screw upon introduction of a coin into the machine and upon a subsequent initial rotation of the screw, the head being upon further rotation of the screw advanced along the thereby actuating the pump-piston in the reverse direction, substantantially as set forth. I

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature latter whereby the pump-piston is operated in presence of two witnesses. in one direction, and means for automatically releasing the jaws from the screw at the end of the advance of the head aforesaid, and drawing the head back to its original position,

WILLIAM C. MEYER. Witnesses:

EMIL STAREK, G. L. BELFRY. 

